Dame Gwyneth may not have sung a lot of Puccini, but she was exemplary in the four big roles she did (Cio-cio-san, Tosca, Turandot, and Minnie). Her Tosca here is passionate, proud and very sexy. The top notes are a piece of cake for her and she throws herself into the drama with tremendous effect. Her reading of the Act Two curtain line "E avanti a lui..." is spoken almost ironically without the melodramatic slant it is usually given.Cecchele sings well though without the poetry of some others. He was a handsome man onstage and probably made even more of an effect if one could see him. Bacquier is deliciously evil as Scarpia. He tends to bark a bit and occasionally has pitch problems, but he recovers. The supporting cast is terrific: Robert Lloyd is instantly identifiable as Angelotti as is John Dobson as Spoletta. Mackerras leads a dramatic performance that he never allows to slip into autopilot.The sound is very clear, but there are some bumps, pops, and other minor glitches (especially in the first act) that one wishes Andy could clear up. If you're a Tosca or Gwyneth Jones fan, you'll want this. Andy has three other Toscas with Jones in his catalogue so if you don't like one or another singer here, try one of the other ones.

Being a great fan of Gwyneth Jones, it is thrilling to have this recording of her Tosca in good sound. Cecchele is marvelous a Cavaradossi and Bacquier , a great Scarpia. Jones is in quite secure vocal condition on this recording with passages of great beauty, fabulous high notes and a strong characterization. Her Vissi d'art is extremely lyrical, almost internal, in this performance. If you are a fan, you owe it to yourself to own this recording.

Tosca - 8 November 1974 Evening 7.30pmRoyal Opera House, Covent Garden, LondonConductorCharles MackerrasChorus MasterRobin StapletonCastCesare Angelotti Robert LloydA Sacristan Derek Hammond-StroudMario Cavaradossi Gianfranco CeccheleFloria Tosca Gwyneth JonesBaron Scarpia Gabriel BacquierSpoletta John DobsonSciarrone Eric GarrettA Shepherd Boy David RoperA Gaoler Paul StathamSoldiers, Police Agents, Noble Ladies and Gentlemen, Citizens